Rebels target Super discipline improvement

Melbourne Rebels have pinpointed poor discipline as an area for improvement as they look to get their Super Rugby season off to a winning start against the Brumbies in Canberra on Friday night.

The Rebels were last season's most penalised team and had the equal most number of yellow cards.

Firebrand Japan international Amanaki Mafi was responsible for a large number of those but is no longer at the Rebels.

Skipper Dane Haylett-Petty said improved discipline was an off-season focus.

He admitted that last year the Rebels took "short cuts and were a bit lazy".

"The discipline probably hurt us more than anything last year and it's something that we focused on throughout the pre-season," Haylett-Petty said.

"Throughout the trial games the boys have definitely improved that and against the Brumbies, more than anyone, we know that's going to be very important."

Mafi left the Rebels in disgrace post-season after he allegedly assaulted a teammate.

Despite his flaws he had a massive impact on the field, making 56 more carries than any other player in the competition.

Isi Naisarani, who spent last season with the Brumbies, is the new Melbourne No.8 with Haylett-Petty impressed by what the 23-year-old had to offer.

"Isi is probably a more complete package," Haylett-Petty said.

"He's got a great work rate, is good in defence and attack and I think he's going to be very good for us during the year and obviously he's got a point to prove playing against the Brumbies as well."

The Brumbies' pack have the edge in terms of experience and Haylett-Petty said it was important the Rebels matched them up front and in the set piece if they were to leave Canberra with a win.

"The Brumbies have gone back to the way they used to play, really grinding teams down," the 29-year-old said.

"They've got a very strong forward pack with a lot of Wallabies there and they often gain a lot of momentum through the scrum, maul and penalties, so for us the focus is probably aiming up up front and being disciplined."